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Answer Center
Spa Essentials® spa care products make caring for your spa easy and simple. We will help you understand the different aspects of spa care and the right products to use to keep your spa clear and inviting.
Click the topics below for more information:
YOUR SPA SYSTEM
Your spa is equipped with powerful systems to help keep the spa water clear and inviting. Spas use a strong pump and motor to circulate the water and pass it through a filter. The motor also runs the jets to help provide the relaxing, bubbling experience that spa owners love.
Circulation and Filtration
Every day, bacteria and other contaminants can find their way into your spa water. Proper circulation will help prevent these contaminants from becoming problems. As the water circulates it passes through the filter and the suspended particles are trapped there. The circulation system also helps distribute the Spa Essentials® products that kill bacteria, prevent problems and keep the water sparkling clear.
What You Need To Do
 Run your spa's circulation system every day. Check your spa owner's manual to determine how long the circulation system should run or ask The Spa Technician for advice.
If your spa has a separate circulation pump that runs continuously, make sure your system is always in good working order.
Many spa problems are caused by poor filtration. A spa filter that is working properly will help keep the water clear by capturing the hair, oils and cosmetics that wash off people when they use the spa. If the spa filter is dirty or clogged, it cannot remove this debris and the material will remain in the water. Most spas have a cartridge filter. Check your owner's manual for information on how to remove the filter for cleaning. Typically you should clean the filter every four to six weeks.
How to Clean Your Filter
Remove the cartridge filter.
Rinse the filter with a garden hose to remove loose debris. A spray nozzle will work best. Do not use a pressure washer as this may damage the filter elements.
 Every time you clean your filter, use Spa Essentials Filter & Cartridge Cleaner to dissolve and loosen the built-up oil and dirt.
Thoroughly rinse the cartridge again. (Allow the filter to dry before replacing it in the spa. Many spa owners prefer to have an extra filter to use while cleaning the dirtly one.)
Return the cleaned cartridge to the filter housing.
Replace the filter element as often as the manufacturer or The Spa Technician recommends.
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REGULAR CLEANING
Spa surfaces should be cleaned regularly to remove build-up. Dirt, oil and even bacteria can accumulate at the waterline, looking like a bathtub ring. Regular cleaning of the spa surfaces preserves the surfaces so the whole spa environment looks and feels better.
What You Need To Do
Brush and vacuum the spa.
If you have a skimmer basket, empty it once or twice a week.
 Clean the oily ring that forms at the waterline using Spa Essentials® Surface Cleaner. Surface Cleaner breaks up the oils and debris at the waterline so you can easily wipe the surface clean. A sponge or soft cloth is ideal for using Surface Cleaner. And don't worry because Surface Cleaner is totally compatible with your spa's water chemistry.
 Prevent waterline build-up with Spa Essentials Enzyme Cleaner. This natural product adds enzymes to the water that digest most oils and eliminates them from the water. Add 1 oz. or four capfuls of Enzyme Cleaner to your spa water weekly for every 100 gallons. Enzyme Cleaner will prevent waterline build-up, help keep your filter clean, and prevent foaming.
Draining and Refilling
Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa maintenance. Over time, the spa water will absorb dissolved minerals, chemicals and other material. This material may make the water cloudy and irritating, indicating it's time to "start fresh."
How often you should drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it. With an average use of 2 - 3 times per week, you should drain and replace your spa water every 2 - 3 months. If you use your spa more often, you may need to do this sooner.
How to Drain and Refill
Drain the spa water. Check your owner's manual for information.
Clean all spa surfaces with Spa Essentials Surface Cleaner.
Refill the spa with fresh water.
Test the spa water and rebalance if needed. See the Spa Water Start-Up section for additional information.
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SPA WATER BALANCE
To keep your spa water comfortable and inviting, be sure to adjust the spa water balance as needed. Balanced spa water is the best way to ensure that bathers are comfortable and the water is clear and ready to use. Balancing spa water includes adjusting levels of pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness to their proper range.
pH
 pH is a scale that runs from 0 to 14 and measures how acidic (low pH) or basic (high pH) something is, in this case spa water. The correct pH range for spa water is 7.2 - 7.6 or just about in the middle of the pH scale. Proper pH makes the spa water feel comfortable and helps protect equipment and surfaces from damage. Keeping the water in the proper pH range also helps the Spa Essentials® products work their best.
 If the pH is too high (above 7.6) sanitizers are less effective, surfaces and equipment can scale, water may cloud, and shorter filter runs may occur. Correct this by adding Spa Essentials pH Decreaser. Low pH (below 7.2) causes sanitizers to dissipate more rapidly, increases corrosion of surfaces and equipment, and may make water irritating to spa users. Adjust low pH by adding Spa Essentials pH Increaser. Maintain pH level between 7.2 - 7.6.
Alkalinity
 Alkalinity is a measure of the water's buffering capacity or ability to resist changes in pH. The proper alkalinity range for spa water is 125 - 150 parts per million (ppm).
Keeping the alkalinity in its proper range will prevent the pH level from moving too high or too low. If the alkalinity is too low, add Spa Essentials Alkalinity Increaser. If the alkalinity is too high use Spa Essentials pH Decreaser.
Calcium Hardness
 The calcium hardness level in spa water also needs to be adjusted to its proper range. Low levels of calcium (water is too soft) can lead to corrosion of equipment and staining of surfaces. Add Spa Essentials Calcium Hardness Increaser to raise low calcium hardness. High levels of calcium can cause scaling of equipment (reducing efficiency) and ugly, rough patches on the interior of the spa. Calcium hardness should be maintained between 100 - 200 ppm. Use Spa Essentials Stain & Scale Control if calcium hardness is above 200 ppm.
Proper Water Balance Ranges
| pH | 7.2 - 7.6 | | Alkalinity | 125 - 150 ppm | | Calcium Hardness | 100 - 200 ppm |
A Better Way to Balanced Water
 For an even easier way to perfectly balanced spa water, use Spa Essentials® pH Anchor. pH Anchor helps adjust the pH to its proper range and hold it there for up to two months. There is no need to test for and adjust calcium hardness levels when using pH Anchor. Please follow label directions closely to ensure proper application.
Note: pH Anchor may cause spa water to turn cloudy when first used. This is a normal part of using this product and the filter will quickly remove the cloudiness. Excessive cloudiness may occur if calcium hardness level is over 200 ppm. Consult The Spa Technician for best results. Do not use pH Anchor in spas with a plaster finish or grouting that contains calcium.
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SPA WATER START-UP
Spa Essentials® products make spa care easy and simple. When used according to label instructions, Spa Essentials products will:
Make the water clear and comfortable
Kill bacteria to keep the spa water clean
Protect spa surfaces from stains and surface build-up
Protect spa equipment from scale caused by calcium deposits
Initial Start Up:
Fill spa with water - If water is from well or other non-municipal facility, test prior to filling
Super oxidize the spa with Chlorinating Concentrate or Brominating Concentrate
Run spa circulation system for at least 2 hrs
Drain, rinse interior surfaces and refill
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ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Regular maintenance with Spa Essentials products will keep your spa looking great with a minimum of cost and effort.
Follow the directions below for beautiful spa water.
Daily Maintenance
Check sanitizer level and adjust if needed
Circulate water approx 2-4 hours per day
Apply Defoamer if needed
Weekly Maintenance
Apply shock treatment
Check and adjust pH
Check and adjust total alkalinity
Apply Enzyme Cleaner
Clean waterline with Spa Surface Wipes or Spa Surface Cleaner
Apply Stain & Scale Control if needed
Monthly Maintenance
Check calcium hardness level (unless using pH Anchor)
Clean filter
Drain, clean and refill & rebalance based on usage
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WATER TESTING
Testing your spa water on a regular basis is an important way to ensure that the water stays balanced. Test sanitizer every day that the spa is used and adjust as needed. Test pH at least weekly. Maintain water balance parameters as indicated below.
| Brominating Tablets | Brominating Concentrate | Chlorinating Concentrate | pH | 7.2 - 7.6 | 7.2 - 7.6 | 7.2 - 7.6 | Total Alkalinity | 125 - 150 ppm | 125 - 150 ppm | 125 - 150 ppm | Hardness | 100 - 200 ppm | 100 - 200 ppm | 100 - 200 ppm | Chlorine | n/a | n/a | 3-5 ppm | Bromine | 2 - 4 ppm | 3 - 6 ppm | n/a |
Note: Not applicable for spas using pH Anchor
If you experience problems with your spa water, take a water sample to The Spa Technician for a complete water analysis. Based on this analysis, The Spa Technician can recommend the Spa Essentials products you need to keep your spa looking and feeling great!
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SPA SAFETY
Here are a few general tips to help you use your spa safely:
Do not drink alcoholic beverages before or during spa use.
Never allow water temperature to exceed 104° F.
Do not allow children to use the spa without proper supervision.
Product Safety
Handled properly, spa products help protect you, your family, your friends and your property. Handled improperly, these products can be very hazardous. Follow the tips below and then get nothing but pleasure from your spa all year long.
Keep all products out of reach of children. Always keep an eye on where any children or pets are in relation to product containers. Handle all product carefully.
Store all products in a dry, well-ventilated area with the lids on. Never store products in direct sunlight. Never store products near a heat source or open flame. Never store sanitizers next to pool equipment. Do not store liquid products above dry products. Do not store spa products and garden products (fertilizers, insecticides, etc.) in the same area. Never mix products together.
Always add products into sufficient water. Never add water to products. Gassing and/or explosions may occur.
Read and follow label directions. Do not overdose. This is costly and may be harmful to spa users and equipment.
Use clean, dry plastic cups or scoops for products requiring measuring utensils. Do not put a wet scoop back in containers.
Do not inhale fumes or allow products to contact eyes, ears, nose or mouth.
Be familiar with first aid instructions on all product containers. Have emergency medical and poison control center phone numbers handy at all times.
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